(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Might be bringing a TO-30 home today...

K

kaferhaus

Member
Going to check it out this afternoon. Is one of those "was running/working fine when parked" guy says it's been sitting 2yrs, battery is dead, I'm sure the fuel has soured. So other than a battery and probably a carb clean is there anything else you fellows think it may need before I try starting it?

I'm getting this as a project but also plan to work it around the homestead plowing, leveling etc. It comes with a box blade but nothing else.

Any suggestions on proper sized implements? Looking to put a lift boom on it, grading blade maybe a rear dump bucket....
2273.jpg
 
I'd pull plugs, disconnect battery and try turning it over with front pulley bolt, if it's stuck then its ATF and something mixed like wd40 poured in plug holes an let set.
 
Well it's sitting in the back yard now... was a bit of a job pulling it onto the trailer with a chain fall.. The list of "little things" it's going to need is a long one. Hyd oil looks great, engine oil is black... Fan pulley is about worn out, some rust on the bottom of the radiator cover, shifter knob is missing, steering wheel cracked, PTO shaft seal leaks and the rear tires have a good bit of cracking.

And of course the entire machine needs cleaning, blasting and paint.

I'll have to get it running to see what else it needs.

First I've got to get it off the trailer.... probably going to tie it to a tree and pull the trailer out from under it.
 
On the cracked steering wheel, mine was missing some material so i got some of the fiberglass rosen mix and hardener and patched it right up not using the cloth, just the mix, after black rattlecan looks like new.
a46023.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 20:21:56 08/02/11) On the cracked steering wheel, mine was missing some material so i got some of the fiberglass rosen mix and hardener and patched it right up not using the cloth, just the mix, after black rattlecan looks like new.
Click to expand...

That looks great! But for the $30 a new one costs I think I'll just go that route.

I have to get it running before I spend any money on it though... If it will run and operate properly, THEN I'll restore it and use it. Otherwise I'll part it out or scrap it. It needs enough work without engine/trans problems. I got the tractor to work it and I'm nostalgic but not stupid.... unless you ask my wife that is.....

I have very little invested in it at this point. So if the fellow I got it from was being straight with me and it worked fine before he parked it, it shouldn't be too much trouble to get it going again.
 
Found out it's a 1954 model, one year younger than me!

Tried to get it started today but no dice. Compression is good with all cyls over 125psi and none more than 10psi +-. Sprayed a bit of starting fluid into the intake, still nothing. Cleaned the dist cap as the wire connectors had corroded some but saw I am only getting a very weak yellow spark that will only jump a few thousandths.

It's a 12V neg conversion but has a 6v coil with resistor. Plugs looked new on the outside and like crap on the combustion side, one had zero gap. Looks like last time it ran it was running very rich...

Wonder if I install a 12V coil if that will get me a better spark? Obviously have to replace the plugs if I can find any..... odd size, took a 7/8" socket to remove them...

Any suggestions?
 
Be sure and check the oil. If it looks milky in color, be ware, they are notorious for having cracked engine blocks.
 
Don't touch that custom paint job! They are very rare! Just some custom pinstriping maybe. LOL. Good luck on your project,
 

It's running like a swiss watch now. Air cleaner was clogged, plugs fouled etc. Valves obviously need adjusting as they're noisy.

New plugs, points, 12V coil and a carb rebuild and it fired up instantly.

Oil was fine, just black. Radiator actually had antifreeze in it.

Took the air cleaner apart, soaked it for two days to get all the crap out of it.

tractor has some issues, brakes, rear axle seals, PTO seal, steering wheel etc.

I'll get all that sorted out in the next couple of weeks as time permits.

No smoke, excellent oil pressure, pulls strong so the engine is a gem.

Then I'll have to decide whether I'm keeping it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Using a Ford 3000 to cut a road/driveway
Replies
14
Views
1K
wp6529
W
A
Need advice 2N purchase
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
Caryc
C
K
What do I need if in the desert if I'm not farming?
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
modirt
M
G
Might be buying a big brother to my 3020.
Replies
4
Views
843
Tx Jim
Tx Jim
T
New to me 202
2
Replies
28
Views
7K
Timinohio
T
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top